Agenda - Council Work Session - 01/12/1991 - Special Workshop

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TOPIC OF FIRE DEPARTMENT HISTORY At the "State of the City Address' presented at the February 24, 1987 Ramsey City Council meeting Mayor Reimann stated that although at that time the City of Ramsey contracted with the cities of Elk River and Anoka for fire protection, the City of Ramsey must plan for the development of a fire department that could assure adequate response time. During the same meeting several Councilmembers stated as their 1987 goals: a) better response time, and b) starting a City of Ramsey Fire Department. During the Mayor and Council Input at the February 24, 1987 regular City Council meeting, there was a motion made directing city staff to prepare a resolution for City Council adoption that would establish an Ad Hoc Fire Department Committee. On April 28, 1987 six individuals were appointed to the Fire Safety Committee and had their first meeting on May 28, 1987. City Administrator David Hadley informed the Committee that their task would be to develop a fire safety plan for the City of Ramsey. In developing the safety plan the following were expressed as areas of concern: the cost of having a Ramsey Fire Department versus participation with the City of Anoka, equipment needs, water supply, training of Fire Fighters, providing adequate service to all areas of Ramsey, and availability of qualified people to staff a department (especially in the daytime). The Committee set a target deadline of January 1, 1988 in which to form their recommendations. On December 22, 1987 the Fire Safety Committee requested a meeting with the Ramsey City Council and met with same on January 11, 1988. From the review and discussion of the report from the Committee, the target date for Council having the additional information on which to base their decision regarding the establishment of a volunteer Fire Department was March, 1988. On February 24, 1988 the City Council was presented a case to review the financial plan for the Fire Department. In summary, the plan indicated that over a ten year period the average expenditure required to finance a fire department with only one fire station would be approximately $130,000 per year. Methods of financing considered were: sale of General Obligation Improvement Bonds, use of proceeds from the sale of the landfill, general ad valorem taxes, fund raisers, and a combination of the aforementioned methods. A motion was made and seconded for discussion to indicate the City's willingness to commit $500,000 of the proceeds from the sale of the landfill to be used in establishing a volunteer fire department in Ramsey. The following was on the April 19, 1988 special election: 'The City Council of Ramsey, Minnesota requests the advice of the electorate. Shall the City of Ramsey create, equip, and fund a volunteer fire department to serve the fire protection needs of the City of Ramsey? yes / no At a special City Council meeting on May 11, 1988 there was discussion regarding the advisory question included on the April 19, 1988 special election ballot. The meeting minutes state that the public clearly indicated that they wished to see a volunteer fire department established in the City of Ramsey. At the May 11, 1988 meeting City Administrator David Hartley stated the qualifications for applying for the fire department should be established prior to accepting fire fighter applications. Those qualifications discussed were in the areas of psychological health, drug and alcohol tests, hearing, vision, driving record, etc. Mr. Hadley noted that City Council intended to use